Hi guys,
Trust you are all well in this post covid world.
Its been a while as we have been locked up here tighter than a fishes bum for what seems like forever…
Well our illustrious leaders have finally opened the gates so we are busy planning another road trip this year on the old Hurricane, this time its just around France and into Monaco, we are going back to some of the areas we went to last time as they we so great and there are some unexplored areas to go ride around.
Flights and accomodation booked just the bike to sort out.
Anyway I have arranged for the bike to be picked up from my friends place to have a few things done and a good check over prior to the trip but one thing that just came to mind was replacing the brake hoses, the bike is an 89 with about 45k miles kms and I am guessing they have never been replaced, not sure on the lifespan on these things but assume its nowhere near 33years.
does anyone know if OEM hoses or aftermarket are available or is it braided options only now, not looking to spend the earth just want safe, I dont want to find they are stuffed right at the point when I really need need them.
Any Ideas gratefully received.

 

I think braided is the only option.

HEL lines are available.

 

Wow, that's one heck of a trip you've got planned there. I can't even begin to imagine the cost of round trip shipping a motorcycle from Australia to the EU and back again. Very envious here... LOL. I agree with @Hawkwind2016 .

 

I seem to remember Toomanytoys has a bike in the UK.

 

Well now, that's just showing off.......

 

OK, yea, did a little poking about. Nice to have a bike just waiting on you to show up when you please... LOL. Do I sound envious here?

 

Thanks for the replies guys I will get the bike shop to check them carefully when it goes in for its MOT, check over and service.
We bought the bike for the last road trip in 2019, we owned one from new when we were first married and living in the UK, (see handle pic) we did many a trip to the South of France then, bike was sold due to when there was a big turn down in work and I had a tax bill to pay in the early 90’s, we never got to buy another and emigrated to Aus in 99.
We went back to the UK a few times to catch up with family and head over to Europe with hire cars and always said it would be great to do it on a bike again, In 2019 I hit the big 60 and my wife said if we are going to do it then we need to make it happen, we found an identical bike to the one we had (colour and year) on the net, after talking to the owner a deal was done and the bike went to a friends place in Somerset who said he would look after it. To be honest with the last trip it worked out the same as hiring a bike for a month but now we have a free bike for this trip and its a Hurricane.

Also I had not ridden a bike for about 25 years so a mate insisted I borrow his BMW for a few months to get back into it, after buying new gear we did just that which was a big help in preparing us, I even booked a refresher ‘Return to riding’ session with a local motorcycle trainer to brush up on my skills, after the session he said it was like I had never stopped riding, I guess you never really forget.
We did the trip in 2019 and what a blast (theres a write up in the road trip section) , when we got back we managed to pick up a 2007 Blackbird with 14k kms in mint condition so have definitely got the bug again, the BB is a sensational bike but for long days in the saddle the old Hurricane is way more comfortable for both of us at the age where we are a lot less flexible….

 

Well, we'll look forward to another trip report as you go. Enjoy the ride and glad you're still out there enjoying CBR's.

 

FYI I looked into buying a Hurricane here and shipping it to the UK for a holiday, cost was $4780return with Getrouted.com.au but I would also have to get the bike to and from the Eastern States so was deemed an unviable option, luckily I have some good mates in the UK who are happy to take care of the bike for me.
i guess if you have a new expensive bike here it may be a better option but we wanted to do the trips on a Hurricane, eventually we will bring her back to Aus, not economic but we have become very attached to her.

 

Those bikes do get under your skin.

I sold mine a while back and like you own a Blackbird now, but I still find myself checking out Hurricanes on E-Bay.

Hope you guys have a great trip and if you feel like posting a couple of pics, that'll be great